Dear Catholic Exchange:
A friend of mine just called me and told me a new Church (St. Mark’s) is being built near Denver. She was told the tabernacle is not going to be in the front of the Church on the altar. What are the rules regarding the placement of the tabernacle? I have no idea, so I was wondering if you could help me.
I promised my friend I would try to find some answers for her. She was disappointed because the new priest was adamant about getting a full immersion baptismal font instead of having the tabernacle on the altar.
Thank you and God Bless You,
Kathy Hernandez
Denver, Colorado
Dear Kathy,
Peace in Christ! The norms for the placement of the tabernacle can be found in the current edition of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM). In general, the GIRM prescribes that “the Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church which is noble, worthy, conspicuous, well decorated and suitable for prayer” (no. 314). This being so, your question is answered, in particular, in no. 315:
It is more in keeping with its meaning as a sign, that the tabernacle in which the Most Blessed Sacrament is reserved not be on the altar on which Mass is celebrated.
The “altar on which Mass is celebrated” refers to the fixed altar in a church on which Mass is ordinarily celebrated. Today this is typically the altar placed out from the back wall, i.e., free-standing. The GIRM does not prohibit locating the tabernacle on an altar per se. Any but the main altar of celebration might be considered.
What is the sign that is best expressed by not having the tabernacle other than on the altar on which Mass is celebrated? The reason is that the focal point of the Mass is the re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice in an unbloody manner on the altar. The Eucharist reserved in the tabernacle is inseparably bound with the sacrifice of the altar, but must not be confused with it. The tabernacle is for the reservation of the Eucharist for the purposes of private prayer and adoration, as well as to reserve the Sacred Species to take to the sick, etc. During the actual celebration of the Eucharist at Mass, one should not be engaged in private adoration of the Eucharist reserved in the tabernacle, but in the public worship of the Christ, made present on the altar.
Eucharisticum Mysterium (Instruction on the Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery), issued by the Sacred Congregation of Rites on May 25, 1967, points out that the “Mass is the origin and consummation of the worship shown to the Eucharist outside Mass. Not only are the sacred species which remain after the Mass derived from the Mass, but they are preserved so that those of the faithful who cannot come to Mass may be united to Christ, and his sacrifice celebrated in the Mass . . . .” (no. 3 e.). The re-presentation of Calvary in an unbloody manner on the altar is the greatest action of Christ and His Church. The Eucharist is the “sources and summit of the Christian life” (Catechism, no. 1324). Without the Mass, there would be no Blessed Eucharist.
Though the current norms do not allow for the tabernacle to be on the altar of celebration, it is still to be “either in the sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration, in the most suitable form and place, not excluding an old altar which is not longer used for celebration; or even in another chapel suitable for adoration and the private prayer of the faithful, and which is integrally connected with the church and is conspicuous to the faithful” (GIRM 315 a., b.).
I hope this answers your question. For more detail, see our Faith Fact entitled, How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place? The Placement of a Tabernacle in a Church. If you have further questions or would like more information about Catholics United for the Faith, please call us at 1-800-MY-FAITH (693-2484). May God bless your day.
United in the Faith,
David E. Utsler
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
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